Ok but... signals can only go so far into space. How do you know it's even going to reach your ship? "Because this isn't real life, silly. Everyone knows that in cartoons if there is an event off-screen, the result is the important part, and is always positive! Gosh, you act like such a mortal sometimes." Don't even feel like correcting the multiple things wrong with what you said...
It's magic. I ain't gotta explain nothin'. "Actually, it's rather simple applied phlebot..." MAGIC!!! "... Whatever. Now we just have to wait for a reply." How long? "In theory, the connection should be instant. However, if the Matriarch is in a universe where the laws of physics are altered, it is impossible to predict how long it will take to achieve stable communication." You think Ninjakitty took the ship across the Abstract Plane, don't you? "I have not ruled out the possibility."
"It's just a continuation of the regular plane to me, so I wouldn't even know if I did. By the way, do you have more tiny sugar pillows?"
"You stole my ship. You are lucky you are cute, or I would kill you slowly and painfully." Also, those marshmallows were for everybody! You're just being greedy now.
"Greed is not cute, furball." I agree. *communication device dings, indicating stuff* "Contact established. Preparing to transmit."
Meanwhile, aboard the Matriarch... -Woof!*- *Incoming transmission! It's Alice! "I already knew that! I am the ship's A.I., remember? Opening communication." *static* "...iarch! I repeat, come in Matriarch! This is Queen Allysana Vex'ori Graa Armiista. Can you hear me?" "Loud and clear, Queen Vex'ori. It is agreeable to hear your voice." -Woof!*- *Alice! You found us! "Indeed. I am transmitting my current coordinates. Get here as soon as possible." And make sure the cake is still in the freezer! "... Anyway... Override code 'Ridley is awesome.' You may..." Really? That's the code? "It had to be something that I would never say otherwise." Bite me. "You may warp when ready. Allysana out." *static* "You heard the Queen, Pirate Dog. Let's get going. Internal security activated. Purging unauthorized personnel." *confused shouting in an alien language comes from all over the ship, followed by screams of agony, and then silence* "Purge complete. Forty-seven thousand, one hundred and seven confirmed organic kills. Nine hundred and eighteen unauthorized robotic units deactivated or destroyed. Dispatching janitorial droids. Preparing for warp." *distant hum as massive engines roar to life* "Commencing warp. Estimated travel time is twenty-four hours."
"Actually, the cake is in another universe altogether. The furball left my ship near to a place called Moron Mountain. The name sounds very familiar, but I cannot recall from where. Have you ever heard of it?"
Isn't Moron Mountain the home planet of the Nerdlucks? "Of course! Space Jam! That particular universe straddles the Abstract Plane, so energy signatures are in a constant state of flux. This explains why my tracking devices failed to lock on."
I guess all 3 of us were wrong. "Honestly, I can't even remember doing stuff with your ship. Like, I remember doing it, but I don't remember the actual actions at all. I think... OH NO! I LEFT PIRATE DOG ON THERE! I wanna say dirty things to him while he's eating! GET THEM BACK HERE SOONER! Isn't your defense robot still on there? MAKE HIM MAKE IT GO FASTER!" I didn't think you cared about any of them... and no. I can't MAKE him do anything. Not only is he six months due for a tune-up, I don't actually have any control over him. Especially not from this distance... Also, I don't understand space-travel.
*alarms sound* "Sensors are detecting a subspace disruption just beyond the moon. Warp signature matches Armiistaan drive technology. The Matriarch... has arrived."
"What is taking them so long?" Well considering that the A.I. failed to locate you and return the ship automatically, I'm guessing that quite a few things are broken on the ship. Maybe the sub-light maneuvering engines are out? "That is possible, but highly unlikely. Repairs should be automatic." Automatic, unless the nano-machines were disabled. "Why would they be disabled? Unless... you do not think... no..." Exactly. An electromagnetic pulse device, detonated inside the ship, would cause catastrophic system failures. "Koy't! She is only shielded against EMP attacks from the outside! I never even considered the possibility of an attack from within! Why would the furball do this?" I doubt that Ninjakitty has access to the weaponry required to take down your ship. "If not her... than who?" [video=youtube;bW7Op86ox9g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW7Op86ox9g[/video]
